When it comes to buying food for your dog, there are a variety of different dog foods on the market. From bizarre flavors to the promise of the best health results, the options are truly endless. However, unfortunately, not all dog food brands have your dog’s best interest in mind. In fact, many popular, well-known dog food brands have even been shown to contain artificial or highly processed ingredients that can trigger major allergic reactions in your dog. And since your dog is your best friend, we firmly believe that they deserve to have only the best food on the market so that they can live a happy and healthy life without any issues.
For this reason, today, we wanted to talk about the best dog foods for dogs that struggle with allergies. Whether it’s itching, shedding, or stomach discomfort, we’ve done some research and have made a list of some of the best dog foods you may want to consider for your furry friend. So, without further ado, let’s dive in and get started.
What are the Symptoms of Food Allergies in Dogs?
To start off, before we begin with our list of the best dog foods, we first wanted to talk a little bit about food allergies in dogs and how to notice them as pet owners. With that said, dog’s allergies are incredibly unique and can come in a variety of different forms. However, a few of the most common allergy symptoms include:
- Itchiness
- Sensitive stomach
- Barfing or diarrhea
- Sneezing
- Hair loss
- Itchy or running eyes
And more. Of course, as we mentioned above, each and every dog is unique and will experience different symptoms depending on their own genetics. With that said, if you think your dog is suffering from a food allergy, talking with a vet to test is the first step. From here, a veterinary will either prescribed a limited ingredient food, also known as an elimination diet, that helps to rule out the main cause of an allergic reaction, or a hypoallergenic diet, which introduces uncommon ingredients your dog has a low chance of being allergic to.
You can read more about hypoallergenic and limited food diets here on petmd.com.
What Ingredients Should You Look for in Dog Food?
Next, we also wanted to cover some of the key ingredients you’ll want to keep an eye out for in dog food if your dog suffers from food allergies. Just like us, dogs thrive most with a diet made of natural, high-quality ingredients that are rich in essential vitamins and minerals. Therefore, it’s best to keep the ingredients list small and simple whenever possible to limit their chances of food allergies. With that said, a few of the most common ingredients you’ll want to keep an eye out for in dog food include:
- Lean proteins
- Vegetables such as carrots, peas, and sweet potatoes
- Healthy oils such as sunflower oil or flaxseed oil
However, the most important thing is to make sure you find dog food with clearly identified ingredients to ensure there are no harmful artificial additives or any allergy-inducing ingredients. With that said, when it comes to bad ingredients that are known for causing an allergic reaction in dogs, these are the most common ingredients you’ll want to keep an eye out for:
- Wheat
- Soy
- Dairy
- Eggs
- Fish
- Beef
- Corn
- Chicken
- Lamb
And more. Of course, every dog is different and may have different reactions to different food ingredients based on their genetics and DNA. However, these ingredients are notorious for being highly allergenic to your dog and can cause them a series of health problems. Therefore, make sure you read each ingredient’s list thoroughly and consult your vet prior to buying your dog food to ensure you are getting the best and most natural option for your dog’s diet.
For more about good and bad ingredients in dog food, be sure to check out dogfoodinsider.com for more information.
Best Dog Food for Allergies
And finally, now that we’ve gone over some ingredients to look for in dog foods, let’s go over a list of the best dog food options for those that suffer from food allergies.
1. Hill’s Prescription Diet for Skin/Food Sensitivities
Starting off, our first choice that is also considered to be the healthiest dog food is Hill’s Prescription Diet for Skin/Food Sensitivities. Known to be a perfectly balanced recipe for dogs with allergies that provides them with all the essential nutrients they need, this hypoallergenic dog food is straightforward and simple and contains only a single animal protein and carbohydrate source to limit the chances of allergy. Available with either venison, duck, or salmon meat, this dog food is also soy-free with high amounts of omega fatty acids that all-around provide your dog with a healthy and nutritious meal like no other.
With that said, this pet food is also the most expensive on our list, priced at $110 for a 25lb bag, and does require authorization by your local vet to ensure it is the best option for your dog. However, it is one of the highest quality dog foods on the market and is definitely worth looking into if you are able to.
2. Blue Buffalo Basics Grain-Free Natural Hypoallergenic Recipe
Next up, we have the Blue Buffalo Basics Grain-Free food. Carefully crafted with a small selection of ingredients that are nutritious for your dog, this grain-free formula is an excellent choice for any dog experiencing food sensitivities. Made with LifeSource Bits, this food contains a unique blend of antioxidants and vitamins that have been carefully chosen by vets to support your pup’s immune health and to help maintain a healthy nutritional balance in their bodies. This dry food also contains salmon as its main protein source, alongside other high-quality, natural ingredients such as potatoes, peas, and pumpkin.
Not to mention, this food has been balanced with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that promote healthy skin and a healthy, soft, and shiny coat. Easy to digest and good for your dog, this dog food is an excellent way to limit your dog’s chances of food allergies and sensitivities and comes highly recommended by many.
3. Purina Beyond Simply LID Adult Hypoallergenic Dog Food
Next up, we have the Purina Beyond Simply LID Hypoallergenic dog food. Carefully formulated by expert nutritionists, this is one of the best commercial dog foods that has been designed with a unique selection of ingredients to keep it as natural as possible. With steroid-free chicken as its first ingredient, this dog food also contains a variety of whole barley, fiber-rich grains, vegetables, and omega-6 fatty acids that helps to nourish the skin and coat of your dog, while natural probiotics simultaneously help to promote good digestive health.
On top of that, this food also contains zero traces of wheat, corn, or soy and is one of the most affordable hypoallergenic dog foods on the market, priced at only $36. Excellent for breeds big and small, the Purina Beyond Simply Hypoallergenic food is simple, straightforward, and rich in vitamins and minerals for a truly earth-friendly and enhancing experience for adult dogs.
4. Just 6 by Rachel Ray Nutrish Hypoallergenic Food
Next, as one of the more affordable options, we have the Just 6 Rachel Ray Nutrish Hypoallergenic Food. Crafted with just six ingredients and boosted with vitamins and minerals such as taurine, this limited ingredient is a great option for adult dogs that are allergic to certain foods. Containing only real lamb meal, ground rice, dried plain beet pulp, brown rice, chicken fat, and pork flavor, this grain-free dog food offers a highly nutritious meal for your pup with a highly concentrated level of protein to promote a strong, healthy body and coat.
On top of that, this dog food is also 100% free from fillers, artificial flavors, colors, and artificial preservatives and is known to also be corn, wheat, soy, and gluten-free. Therefore, you can rest assured that when you use Just 6 by Rachel Ray, you are giving your puppy only the best and most natural ingredients on the market.
5. Ollie Subscription Dog Food
Up next, if you’re looking for one of the best limited ingredient dog foods, Ollie Subscription Dog Food is an excellent choice. This is a truly unique option on the list of the best dog foods in comparison because this dog food is 100% customizable and comes in a monthly subscription box, so you never run low on food. With that said, the way this works is you head on over to the Ollie Subscription website, take a quiz that has been designed to ask you specific questions about your dog’s diet, health, age, and allergies, and then you will receive a box in the mail of a unique selection of freshly cooked food just for your dog.
However, to give you a better idea of what you’re getting yourself into, the ingredients at Ollie typically consist of single animal proteins, such as beef, turkey, lamb, or chicken, followed by a selection of clearly labeled vegetables, oils, vitamins, and carbs, and is also free of common allergens such as corn, soy, or wheat. Overall, if you’re looking for a high-quality dog food you can trust with ingredients you can control and select yourself, Ollie Subscription is the way to go.
6. Merrick LID Grain-Free Hypoallergenic Dog Food
Next, for the perfect balanced diet, we have the Merrick LID Grain-Free Hypoallergenic Dog Food. With just ten ingredients, this dog food aims to limit allergies and food intolerances as much as possible while also supporting healthy digestion without the use of harmful preservatives or artificial flavors. With deboned salmon as the single source of protein in the ingredients, alongside other fresh ingredients such as sweet potato, this recipe contains essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that help to promote healthy skin and a healthy coat, while also maintaining tasty natural flavors for your dog.
On top of that, this dog food is also grain-free and gluten-free, and contains no common canine food allergens like grains, soy, corn, wheat, dairy, or eggs, and is truly the perfect, affordable option for your furry friend.
7. Natural Balance LID Chicken and Sweet Potato Formula
Next, known to be one of the top-selling brands for limited ingredient diets, we have the Natural Balance LID Chicken and Sweet Potato Formula. High-quality and all-natural, this premium dog food provides essential vitamins and minerals in each bite. With a single source of protein from chickens and healthy wcarbs from sweet potatoes, this dog food is both grain and gluten-free and perfect for dogs with a sensitive digestive system.
On top of that, this dog food has been formulated by a team of highly experienced certified animal nutritionists, clinical veterinarians and promises only the world’s finest ingredients in every bite. Not to mention, this natural food does not contain any added lentils, corn, soy, or wheat and is free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, overall making it a wise and healthy choice for those with a food intolerance.
8. Wellness Simple LID Hypoallergenic Dog Food
Next up, we have the Wellness Simple LID Hypoallergenic Dog Food. Available in both wet and dry kibble form, this dog food makes use of 5 carefully selected ingredients and features natural probiotics, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids, glucosamine, and taurin. Available in flavors of lamb, salmon, duck, or turkey, this dry dog food is an excellent choice for all breeds and has also been designed to encourage whole-body health by supporting digestive function, heart health, immunity, and a healthy coat. And to top it all of, this dog food is also free of dairy, soy, wheat, corn, and preservatives, so you can rest assure you’re truly giving your dog the best of the best.
Therefore, if you’re looking for a dog food that can truly do it all and comes expertly designed and recommended, Wellness simple LID is an excellent choice for you.
9. American Journey LID Hypoallergenic Dog Food
Next, we have the American Journey LID Hypoallergenic Dog Food. This popular dog food contains a unique limited-ingredient formula that is grain-free and contains a fresh recipe that your dog will love. Containing deboned salmon as its main ingredient followed by a rich selection of easily digestible ingredients such as sweet potatoes and peas, this dog food helps your dog to maintain lean muscles while also giving him the energy he needs to run around and have fun just as he should. On top of that, this food is also rich in omega fatty acids that help to provide your dog with essential vitamins and minerals that help to promote a healthier overall being and a shiny coat.
With a balanced nutrition with no allergy-triggering ingredients like corn, wheat, soy, or poultry by-product meals, this dog food contains zero artificial colors, preservatives or flavors, and is an excellent choice if you’re looking for dog food with healthy, fresh, and natural ingredients like no other that won’t cause an allergic reaction.
10. Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Dog Food
And lastly, we have the Nutro Limited Ingredient Dog Food. With ten key ingredients, plus a variety of essential vitamins and minerals, this dog food is rich in healthy ingredients that truly help to benefit your dog’s health. Made with a unique selection of main course meats, including venison meal, lamb meal, duck meal, and salmon meal, this dog food is excellent for dogs experiencing skin allergies and promises to provide itch relief and promote a shinier coat.
On top of that, this dog food is also grain-free and helps to limit exposure to allergy-inducing ingredients such as wheat, corn, dairy, or soy. Made from non-GMO ingredients that provide you a healthy and organic selection for your furball, this is an excellent hypoallergenic selection for your dog you’ll definitely not want to pass up.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a variety of unique dog food types and brands on the market. From chicken-flavored to turkey-flavored food, the most essential part of giving your dog any food is to make sure you take that extra step to ensure it is truly right for them. Above all else, we hope this article on the best dog foods has helped you to better understand the importance of buying the right dog food, what ingredients to look out for, and what to avoid altogether so you can create a happy and healthy life for your pup without any allergy issues.
Sources:
https://www.petsradar.com/buying-guides/best-dog-food-for-allergies
https://www.rover.com/blog/reviews/hypoallergenic-dog-food/
https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/the-16-best-dog-foods-for-allergies
https://www.k9ofmine.com/best-hypoallergenic-dog-food/
https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2017/01/food-allergies/
https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/limited-ingredient-dog-food-it-right-your-dog
